Dracula Premier Review: More Vampires?

Did you watch Dracula last night? Well I didn’t. Let me explain. I set my DVR, I watched (most of) Grimm and then fell asleep with the TV on. I have a few people that can attest to this. (Yes I am a party animal). So I watched it this morning. My thoughts? I wish I could have stayed awake and watched in real time.

I was somewhat leery about another vampire show/storyline. True Blood is mostly getting it done in the vampire soft porn area, and The Vampire Diaries has a stronghold in the teenage love angst area so I was curious to what a show on NBC could offer. After all NBC can’t step out of the basic cable lines like HBO or even a show on FX can do. The last thing we need is another show that is afraid to step out of the safety zone so therefore just fades away (I feel like this will be the downfall of Grimm). However maybe the late night slot will save Dracula.

Last nights premier started off with a bang. The opening scene was amazing. A coffin with a statue of a man in torture laying on the top and pictures of even more torture on the side is shown and then two explorers are seen apparently raiding the tomb. Quickly one of the guys slits the other guys throat and allows the blood to pour into the mummified remains of Dracula’s mouth which makes it clear that one of the dudes knew what was up. (Dude later turns out to be Van Helsing which is interesting to say the least.)

The mummy Dracula was really cool looking too. I’m glad they went all the way with this and didn’t leave it to our imagination. I’m also glad that they did this and it looked good. It could have easily been comical instead of creepy/gross.

I really hope they keep this up. Vampires should be scary. Yes, they are sexy and intriguing, but also scary. It’s nice for a change to have a vampire that isn’t sipping human blood out of a tumbler or drinking warmed synthetic blood, but someone who is hunting nightly. Not to say this Dracula is purely evil– that would get old just as quick as a purely good character. He is seeking vengeance and is trying to bring down bad guys that are even worse than himself.

My interest is piqued, but I am also concerned this is on NBC. This doesn’t seem NBC’s regular cheesy comedy fair or it’s cop drama staple. As long as they continue down the road they are on though I think they will have a winner.

Things I love:

Johnathan Rhys Myers– him in general, but also that he is leading this show. He proved in The Tudors that he can pull of an insanely handsome and ruthless character.

That this vampire kills. He’s not being eaten up by a conscience , but also seems to have a plan.

The base story– it’s set up with enough questions to make it interesting, but isn’t overly complicated

Van Helsing– I’m just glad they included this storyline

The clothing. As a costumer I look at all these beautiful dresses and would love to recreate something

Things I doubt:

The whole– Hey look, that chick looks just like my dead wife– bit. I’ve had enough of that with The Vampire Diaries with the whole Doppelganger crap. I just don’t buy it.

Some of the dresses. Most importantly the ones for the woman that works with the big bad. She’s dressed and painted up like a high end hooker (and acts like one). I just don’t find it period appropriate.

The out in public kisses on the lips. Yeah also not period appropriate. I’m not saying that the sex should get cut out, I’m just saying that in public that crap wouldn’t have flown.

Katie McGrath’s blonde hair. She was an amazing Morgana and is just as beautiful as JRM, but the blonde looks weird.

Overall though I’m really excited and may have a cup of coffee in the future to be able to stay up and watch it Friday nights. Or really hopefully it will be moved from the terrible Friday night slot.